6 Racing Drone Kits of 2019

This page explores the things to look for when buying a racing drone kit. What kit works for you depends on what level you’re at and how much assembly you want to do. You also need to consider the type of drone. The reviews on this page are all quads, but it’s possible to build any multi-rotor craft. The most popular drone kits are geared toward racing enthusiasts.

Quadcopter racing is now one of the fastest growing sports worldwide. Racing fans prefer drones that they can customize and tweak to meet their demands. That gives pilots a competitive edge over the predictable, ready-to-fly drones.

The Benefits of a Drone Kit

The benefit of a racing quadcopter (also called a freestyle drone) kit is that there are few limits. You’re in charge and get to control how the bird feels and flies. Racing enthusiasts can customize and fine-tune their quads to perfection. You can use premium features found on costly drones but for a lot less money. Those who learn the ins-and-outs of a flying robot tend to make much better pilots.

This introduction is not a step-by-step guide on how to assemble a racing drone. It does, however, introduce the vital things to consider before buying a quadcopter kit.

Traits of a Racing Drone

There are certain things to consider when buying a racing drone kit. You don’t have much control if everything is in one box. However, you still need to make sure the contents of that box meet your expectations. Building a drone from scratch and individually sourcing each part takes more scrutiny.

Here are the most significant considerations for a racing drone:

The size of the drone, or frame size more specifically

Weight matters, lighter is generally better

Durability (crash-resistance)

Type of electric motor

Suitable flight controller

Camera for First Person View (FPV)

OK, let’s now look at the above 6 points in more detail.

#1 The importance of frame size

A novice racing drone pilot may want to start with a micro or nano sized frame. These are cheap, robust, and give you a feel for racing. Most are small and lightweight enough for flying indoors if you have space. Racing outdoors needs a larger frames size that fits the category you want to compete in. Kit builders refer to frame size as the wheelbase and measure in millimeters (mm).

Frame size also dictates other kit factors such as the following:

Propeller size

Motor size and weight

Moment of inertia

Air-resistance

Flying styles

There are two types of racing frame, the H-Frame, and the X-Frame. H-frames are ideal for beginners. That’s because they’re more robust and protective of components than X-frames. Many experienced racers tend to prefer X-frames. They’re perfect for FPV contests as they’re predictable and flexible.

#2 Weight matters

Lighter frames give more speed and battery life. They’re also more vulnerable to damage in a crash. Weight and durability are a delicate balancing act and a significant consideration.

#3 Durability

Smaller, lighter racing quads are more durable than bigger heavier ones. Indoor Tiny Whoop racers are an excellent example of durable micro drones. Their durability is down to the materials used. The favorite choice for larger quads is carbon fiber though it’s not always the best option.

#4 Electric motors

The larger the frame size, the bigger the motor—and everything else come to that. Motors come in brushed or brushless types. Preferences depend on individual needs and expectancies.

#5 Flight controller

The flight controller doesn’t need all the bells and whistles of a regular drone. Remember, you need full control, and that means the ability to race in Acro mode. This mode lets you fly fast and perform aerial aerobatics to navigate the drone racing track. No assisted flying needed.

#6 FPV Camera setup

Most drone racing is in First Person View (FPV) using a monitor or FPV goggles. That puts you in the virtual pilot’s seat so you can see what the camera sees in real time. Some racing kits include an onboard FPV camera whereas others leave that choice to the pilot. Check that the frame you like supports the camera you want to use as some kits need specific models.

Other Stuff to Consider

Get to know which components are compatible with what kit. Consult the friendly folks in racing drone forums if you need guidance. Look at items like electronic speed controllers (ESC) and power distribution boards (PDB). Wiring, connectors, and the space to put everything are other considerations for DIY kits. Most first-time drone assemblers prefer a complete set (everything in the box).

About My ‘Racing Drone Kit’ Guide

The 6 reviews on this page illustrate some current favorite racing quadcopter kits. There are others, but these will give you a good insight into the type of products available. These are not only personal choices. I also took user feedback and the opinions of industry experts into consideration. The first three are Best Budget, Best Value, and the Top Pick for convenience.

GILOBABY DIY Drone Kit Highlights

Flying quadcopters—especially for the first time—is an exciting and memorable experience. Assembling a drone takes satisfaction to a whole new level. This product is educational as well as fun and made for STEM learning. STEM helps to develop skills in areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. This DIY mini racing drone is a new generation of Play & Learn models.

The quadcopter is easy to pilot once assembled. Its headless mode lets youngsters fly while ignoring the direction of the nose. Other child-friendly flight features include simple 1-key takeoff/landing and altitude hold. The latter keeps the drone steady in the air thus making it easier to handle. The charging time is fast at only 50 minutes. The flight range is 164 ft. (50 m) which is plenty for a small model.

The Not So Good

The flight time is a disappointing 5–8 minutes max, so extra batteries are a good idea. The instructions that come with this racing drone kit could be better. They do cover everything, but the format of the guide could be more kid-friendly.

Eachine Tyro109 Racing Kit Highlights

The Tyro99 had a reputation as a great DIY racing drone kit for under 100 dollars. The Eachine Tyro109 here costs a little extra but offers a whole lot more. Those improvements include a better protected FPV transmitter, superior camera, motors, and props. It’s a full drone kit which makes it a new builder’s dream model. The quad has a sturdy 3K carbon fiber airframe with 5mm arms.

All the components—including the Caddx Turbo Eos2 1200TVL HD Camera—are well protected. That’s thanks to a couple of aluminum reinforcements. The Quick Start guide is clean and easy to follow. Not all drone assembly guides are as clear cut, though they should be.

The Not So Good

This is a Plug-N-Play version, and that means there are extras needed to complete the kit. Some builders prefer to source a transmitter, receiver, and batteries themselves. Others prefer everything in one box, so PNP can be a pro or con depending on the person. This kit also needs a First Person View (FPV) monitor or FPV googles for drone racing.

The kit comes with powerful 2306 2600kv brushless motors that are robust and almost vibration-free. Fan cooling reduces the temperature and improves the stability and longevity of the motors. All the included parts are of excellent quality. Others include 32bit ESC, F3 Ominsbus flight controller, and a 5.8Ghz Antenna SMA. See below for the full list.

The Not So Good

There are no written instructions with this kit. That’s odd considering they aim it at first-time builders. There is a YouTube tutorial, but proper instructions would have been welcome. Another issue that may put a few folks off is that there’s some considerable soldering involved. And finally, there aren’t any ESC connecting wires which is odd. I’ve added those to the ‘needed to complete’ list.

IACTIVE DIY 3K Mini Quad Kit Highlights

The IACTIVE DIY 3K Carbon Mini Robocat 270 Kit is perfect for advanced beginners. That means those who have some experience with simple electronics and soldering. It’s just a frame begging for someone to transform it into a flying, competing, quadcopter. It’s a great educational kit for anyone who wants to learn how to build a racing drone from the ground up.

About the Frame

The frame has a gorgeous, streamlined design made from full 3K carbon fiber. It’s small and ultra-lightweight yet incredibly robust and crash-resistant. The machine arms are 3mm thick, and the fuselage is 2mm. There’s heaps of space for the wiring and FPV gear, including an angled camera mount. It’s an excellent platform to build on and one that gives enthusiasts lots of pleasure.

The Not So Good

This kit only includes a basic frame, so all other components are down to the builder. That means new owners must source the extras themselves (see list above). Don’t forget the solder and soldering tool. One of the quad’s attractions is its small size. That’s also a downside for new builders as it’s harder to work and learn in tight spaces. It’s a beautiful frame kit for those who are ready for it, though.

LHI 250mm Drone Kit Highlights

It may be tiny, but it’s not short on oomph. The brushless motors deliver high power and reliable performance. This small racing quad can reach speeds that some say are too fast for newbies. They could be right. The tiny racer is nothing but a blur once it gets moving.

LHI’s 250mm Pro is lightweight, durable, and doesn’t suffer from vibration during flights. These things are attributed to the pure carbon fiber frame and an effective rubber damper.

The Not So Good

There aren’t any proper instructions included with this kit. All it comes with is a single sheet for the frame assembly. Thankfully, there are plenty of how-to vids on YouTube. Even so, the makers should provide a written guide for paying customers. The other con is the brittle propellers that come with the kit. New buyers may want to get some better ones in advance.

SWAGTRON SwagDrone Racing Quad Highlights

The reason to buy racing drone kits is to learn about what makes them fly. That allows pilots to customize their quads and fine-tune the performance. However, those new to racing may want to learn how to compete first and customize later. That’s where fully-assembled ready-to-fly (RTF) racing drones come in. The SwagDrone 210-UP is an excellent example of a pre-assembled racing quad.

Ready, Steady, Go!

Everything you need is in the box, including a 700 TVL First Person View (FPV) camera. There’s also a night vision camera that makes it possible to fly in low light conditions. If you have an accident—and you probably will—it’s good to know this puppy is crash-resistant. The carbon fiber material stands up well to stress and impacts and is lightweight and aerodynamic.

SWAGTRON’s SwagDrone has a modular design that makes replacing parts a breeze. Other beginner-friendly features include 3 flight modes, a locator (lost drone) alarm, and a kill switch. The flight modes are Primary (beginner), Mid-Level, and High-Level. And the kill switch exists to stop the bird if it looks as though it’s heading for a collision.

The Not So Good

The SwagDrone 210-UP is a racing quad for all levels from beginner to advanced. Unfortunately, the makers have not written the instructions with the total novice in mind. That means learning how to fly this beauty is not as straightforward as it should be for first-timers.

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